Active Components Definition, What are Active Components

In electronics, active components are components that can be used to provide power gain in an electronic circuit. This means that the power of their output signal may be more than that of their input signal. This added power is provided by another power source. The most common active components are transistors. One of the basic uses of transistors is in making amplifiers. In a simple transistor amplifier, there's an AC input signal (a current, a voltage or both i.e. a power) that needs to be amplified. A DC power supply is used to provide the additional power needed. This DC supply is said to bias the transistor.

Examples of Active Components

• Transistors >> Bipolar Juction Trasistors >> MOSFETS
• Transistors >> Bipolar Juction Trasistors >> JFETS
• Operational Amplifiers
• Vaccuum Tubes >> Triodes
• Vaccuum Tubes >> Tetrodes
• Vaccuum Tubes >> Pentodes
• Vaccuum Tubes >> Heptodes
• Tunnel Diodes (depending on their bias)

Nonlinear Passive Components

The following devices do not fit the definition generally ascribed to active components, but because of their nonlinear responses, designs, histories, and uses in circuits, are sometimes presented alongside active components in textbooks and educational materials.

• Junction Diodes
• Step recovery Diodes
• Thermionic Diodes
• Thyristors
• Varactor Diodes
• Tunnel Diodes